The other day I grabbed my curling iron on the wrong end. It’s all white, and I was distracted in the mirror fixing a curl. Smart, I know. I immediately rinsed under cool (not cold water as instructed by the internet).Once my burn healed, I reached for my Mederma Quick Dry Oil. I’ve been testing it for the past few weeks on my arms and legs and added my hands to the roster. Granted the skin on my hands are more weathered and tough than the rest of my body, but it was pretty miraculous how quick I improved.

Normally, I’d go straight for the Mederma Advanced Scar Gel, which has been a staple in my family home since I first discovered the brand well over a decade ago. When my little brother was 5 he used it on his elbow after breaking his arm on the monkey bars. While it does help with scars and stretch marks, our real obsession came from using it on burns. This happens more than you think in a family of 6 who loves to cook and misuse heating tools. While this is the first time I’ve picked up a curling iron, I’ve burned myself with a wand several times, usually around my ear or hands when I twirl my strands. I also have just about learned my lesson on my steamer – spoiler alert: do not steam your clothes while you’re wearing them no matter how thick the fabric is and how big of a rush you’re in… Multiple burns, discolored knees and elbows, foot scars from strappy shoes – and most recently from Coachella where a pair of flip flops managed to scar both feet (yes, I feel the need to share a visual of this disaster) in the same place from the strap. So when I got back to New York, I was the prime candidate to try the new Mederma Quick Dry Oil. The bottle alone says skin care for: Scars, Stretch Marks, Uneven Skin Tone and Dry Skin. With check marks in all of those boxes, the immediate reaction I had was how light and quick drying the oil is and also how amazing and smooth my skin felt. It instantly makes you feel like you have baby skin.

I’m usually more into oils in the winter but this one is great year round, and is not greasy or heavy like other oils or moisturizers. In fact, I like it as a first layer after the shower and then will put a moisturizer over it if I need more hydration. Looking at the ingredient list, it has a really strong formula comprised of mostly natural ingredients. It features sunflower and coconut oil for fast absorption and to seal in moisture, rose hip oil which is rich in Vitamin C for brighter skin, sweet almond oil to help moisturize, and chamomile and ginger extract to help reduce redness and uneven skin tone. It’s also rich in Vitamins A, E and Omega 3 and the only oil that combines Cepalin^® with natural botanicals in a fast-absorbing formula free of parabens, fragrance, dye and mineral oil, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Overall my skin is definitely more even and smoother and my scars are lightening but not at the lightning speed of my hands since I waited longer than I should have to start using it on them. Plus flip flop scars in the desert where direct sun is hitting it day in and day out means it’s going to take some time but I’m on my way and they have considerably lightened. The discoloration in my knees is practically all gone and is only really noticeable in one of my ankles now.